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  • Workshop

Open Studio Session #1: The American Elm

Print for yourself a commemorative broadside about the American Elm tree, one of the oldest trees on campus. Part of the event series Printing the Plants of University of Pennsylvania's James G. Kaskey Memorial Park.

This event has already occurred

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August 26, 2026, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
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Kaskey Memorial Park South Lawn
group
Open to the Public

Hosted by: Common Press

american elm leaf print

Session 1: American Elm, Ulmus americana

Join us at the Kaskey Memorial Park South Lawn on Wednesday 8/26/26, 12 to 2 p.m  (rain date 9/2) to print for yourself a commemorative broadside about the American Elm tree, one of the oldest trees on campus. You can spot the American Elm as you wander the beautiful paths of this amazing park. The printing activity takes less than 10 minutes, so feel free to drop by anytime—stay for a few minutes or as long as you like! This event is free and open to the public.

Walking Tour! Join a 30 minute walking tour of the Park starting at 1 p.m., lead by a gardener from the Park. Please register here to reserve a spot on the tour.

The collaboration between Common Press and Kaskey Memorial Park 

Common Press and Kaskey Memorial Park are collaborating to highlight the Park’s floral and fauna through a printmaking series of six open studio sessions during which anyone is invited to print a commemorative broadside for themselves using letterpress printing techniques. Each open studio session highlights a different unique species in the Park’s collection. The list of topics is curated by head gardener, Claire Thurston-Emmert and greenhouse and garden manager, Kathryn Butler. The broadsides are design by staff from Common Press. Participants are encouraged to come to all 6 events and build a print portfolio about Kaskey Park.

Plants/Dates:

  • Ulmus americana, American elm: Wednesday 8/26/26, 12 to 2 p.m. at Kaskey Memorial Park South Lawn Picnic Area (rain date 9/2)
    • This date includes a 30 minute walking tour of the Park starting at 1 p.m.
  • Asimina triloba, pawpaw: Wednesday, 10/14/26, 12 to 2 p.m. at Common Press  
  • Lindera benzoin, spicebush: Wednesday, 11/18/26, 12 to 2 p.m. at Common Press 
  • Catalpa speciosa, northern catalpa: Wednesday, 1/27/27, 12 to 2 p.m. at Common Press 
  • Mertensia virginica, Virginia bluebells: Wednesday, 3/17/27, 12 to 2 p.m. at Common Press 
  • Neviusia alabamensis, Alabama snow wreath: Wednesday, 4/21/27, 12 to 2 p.m. at Kaskey Memorial Park South Lawn Picnic Area  (rain date 4/2)
    • This date includes a 30 minute walking tour of the Park starting at 1 p.m.  

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